Went to a new construction site yesterday and saw a panel mounted sideways inside a closet

I was checking out a friend's job site over in Arlington, a new condo building going up. Walked into one of the units and saw the alarm panel was mounted sideways inside a reach-in closet. Like, the board is rotated 90 degrees. Tech said it was the only way to fit it with the ductwork. I've never seen that before and it's going to be a pain to service. Has anyone else run into weird panel placements that work but drive you nuts?

3 comments

3 Comments

john_fisher1mo ago

Honestly, I gotta push back on that "only way to fit it" thing. Ngl, techs love to say that but most of the time it's just the easiest option for them, not the only one. Tbh, I've seen way too many panels mounted sideways and it makes servicing them a nightmare no matter how clean it looks.

michaelgrant1mo ago

Back when I was doing low-voltage work, we had a job where the fire alarm panel ended up behind a stackable washer/dryer in a laundry room. The builder swore up and down that the plans showed it clear, but once the appliances were in, you had to basically unplug everything just to reach the reset button. It worked fine for inspections (you know, the whole "it passes code" thing) but man, what a headache for anyone who actually has to use it later.

jamie_webb671mo ago

That "passes code" thing is ALWAYS how they justify it, drives me NUTS. I had a similar mess a few years back where a panel was crammed behind a furnace return. What actually worked for us was getting the builder to install a simple removable panel in the drywall. We cut a square access door right in the closet wall facing the panel, put some hinges and a latch on it, and painted it to match. It cost like 50 bucks extra but now you can get to the board without moving a single appliance or duct. The inspector had no problem with it either since it's still code compliant and way more practical. If your friend is still in the rough-in phase, tell him to push for that before they close up all the walls.